Located at the southwestern tip of Cyprus, is the coastal city and capital of the Paphos district; Paphos. Paphos lies between the Troodos Mountains and the coast and is a city that has been inhabited since the Neolithic period. Paphos is famous for being...more
Located at the southwestern tip of Cyprus, is the coastal city and capital of the Paphos district; Paphos. Paphos lies between the Troodos Mountains and the coast and is a city that has been inhabited since the Neolithic period. Paphos is famous for being the birthplace of Aphrodite, a Greek goddess. The city is divided into two; with the upper portion being the commercial center, and the lower section; Kato Paphos, being home to several hotels and popular archaeological points. Paphos has exceptional architectural and historic value and the town is considered a gem and is on the UNESCO list of cultural and natural treasures of the world's heritage. Tourism in Paphos has grown rapidly and it is now considered a popular tourist destination. Tourists must visit the remains of palaces, fortresses, villas, theatres, and tombs that belong to Classical, Hellenistic and Roman periods. Although there was once quite a large Muslim population in Paphos, the city now only has a small number of Muslim residents. Muslim tourists will therefore not find it easy to locate mosques and Halal restaurants in Paphos.
Due to Papho’s rich historical background, when in the city, visitors must visit the Paphos Archeological Park, which is also known as Kato Pafos Archaeological Park. The sites and monuments that are found in the park date back to prehistoric times. The park was also included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. Visitors will get to see Roman villas that have stunning mosaic floors, as well as important monuments like the Agora, the Asklipieion, the "Saranta Kolones" (Forty Columns) Fortress, the Odeion, and the "Tombs of the Kings", among others.
The city is also home to several catacomb sites which date back to the early Christian period.
Another must-visit when in Paphos is Coral Bay; which is located approximately 6 kilometres north of Paphos city. The beach found in this resort town is considered one of the best sandy beaches found in the region. Visitors can also take part in some of the numerous water sports that the beach offers. It is the perfect place to get in a bit of relaxation and for a fun day out with the entire families.
Paphos is a popular destination for scuba diving, snorkeling and fishing. Divers come from all around the world to explore the underwater ruins and wrecks and to discover the beautiful marine life, buried under the crystal clear waters.
Fishing, in the past was quite a popular activity. This activity is now gaining popularity again, as it can be enjoyed all year around. The area offers salt-water fishing opportunities as well as fresh-water finishing opportunities.
Paphos is also quite a family-friendly destination. It is home to animal parks, playgrounds, amusement parks, a bird park, an aquarium, nature reserves, sunny beaches, areas for water sports and so much more!
The country's second largest airport; Paphos International Airport, is the airport that serves Paphos. This airport is located approximately 18 kilometres from the center of the city. This busy airport is frequently used by those vacationing in western Cyprus as it provides access to places like Coral Bay. The airport is accessible by public transport and there is also a shuttle service that tourists can use to reach it.
Paphos does have a small Muslim population and therefore Muslims should be able to find Halal food in the city. There is also one known butcher that sells Halal meat in Paphos. Muslim visitors will have to ask the locals for the location of the nearest Halal restaurant.
There are a couple of Mosques in Paphos that serve its Muslim community and are frequented by Muslim tourists. The mosques found in Paphos are however smaller in nature and some are also believed to be closed. Others were previously churches that were turned into mosques centuries ago. Located in the heart of Paphos’s Turkish quarter is the Great Mosque – Aya Sofia. This also used to be a church but was converted into a mosque in the 15th century. Muslim tourists can visit the Lower Paphos masjid, in Kato Paphos for prayers. However, the best way for Muslim tourists to locate functioning mosques or prayer facilities close by; would be to ask the locals.
Prayer times for Paphos City,Cyprus